Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1887-1890, 1887-07-06

though long distinguishable, are destined
to more perfect union and identity in
the continued flow of one majestic stream
to the great ocean of futurity.'
UPWARD AND ONWARD.
And now, past differences having been
swept away, our country has taken an up
ward and onward flight, until to-day she
stands the foremost nation of the earth,
and glories in the fact that she is the home
of sixty millions of free, united, prosperous
and fraternal people. IApplause.l
Free! Even as the wind that is waited
to us to-day direct from yonder immacu-
late footstools of God, and made so by the
almost superhuman efforts of our fore
fathers, who, so few in numbers, hurled
back host of British invaders from our
shores, and loosed the shacllles that bound
us to England on the fourth day of July,
1776
United! Made so from the beginning,
for in unity was recognized one OF
the essential elements of a free govern
ment, and time has only proven the more
clearly the great wisdom Of our forefathers
in adopting the national motto: In Union
there is Strength; in Division there is De-
structiOn.
Prosperous! Gaze over our fair land,
from ocean to ocean, from gulf to lakes;
behold the rapid end continued changes
for the better, the wonderful strides that
are being taken, and you see the age of
progress, Enter the principal expositions of
the world; see the exports and resources
of America as compared with those of
| 9TH orI in poariu N
YOU will find that she has won the largest
honors. And behold how proudly, yet de-
servedly, she wears them. Compare this
country to-day with that of one hundred
years ago = comparatively short period
in nations history II and you will stand
amazed and wonder stricken, and then re-
ioice at our incompatible prosperity.
Fraternal! Yes, even so. Bound to-
gether by ties that are stronger than blood,
the many examples of purest patriotism
attest too plainly to this fact for it to be
doubted for a moment For how often
have Americans sons, of nearly every
state in the union, American like, sioe
by side with the gallant sons of other
states, and bearing in mind the beloved
motto on the dear old flag that waved so
proudly above them as a forlorn hope,
against mighty odds, have yictoriously
triumphed on mary a bloody and hard
fought field.
Yes; free, united, prosperous and fra
ternal What more could the jealous and
exacting heart of the devoted patriot desire
that would add honor, glory or success to
his country's name?
If, to-day, the spirit of one of our reyo-
lutionary fathers should arise and stand in
our midst and behold US younger Ameri-
cans rejoicing, at this time and place, so
far from the spot where the renowned old
bell of liberty rang out so joyfully on that
first glorious occasion; when his spirit eye
would have penetrated the bowels of
wonder rock ribbed mountains, and in
them he beheld such fabulous riches as the
Imagination of man has never conceived; :;
when he would behold our beautiful val
leys yielding forth their fruitful resources,
and our unbounded plains thronged with
innumerable herds of stock, free to roam
where they will; when he would perceive
that here in this region. once deemed
part Of the unexplored Far West, there
existed the nucleus of a mighty city, des-
tined in the near future to become the
leading metropolis of the Northwest; when
he had seen all this, and scanned the vast
extent of Our national domain. he could
not but exclaim: "Well done! we'll done!
my faithful children. This country is
grander far than had ever dreamed. The
laying of its foundation was an expert
ment, but this is the age of fruition, and our
fondest expectations have been surpassed!' -
But, honored shade of our ancestor, to
you we are indebted for our position to-
day; for such as you have gone before and
. blazed the way through forest of Difficult
ties, until our country has emerged upon
these broadened plains. 1t was under the
! brilliant sunlight Of your past experience
that we can now see our way as we glance
over the plains of the west, far as the eye
of the Imagination can reach, and behold
country blooming and blossoming as
the rose. [Applause.l
STATEHOOD STILL DENIED.
) Rut it is lamentable fact that this ter
ritory to-day, occupying the proud position
, which she does, is barred and disqualified
from entering the union of states, and has
practically no voice, no authority in the
councils of the union. If our legislators
will only grant us this deserved right, and
| permit Montana to assume the robe of
statehood, there is no doubt but that she
will wear her honors we'll and shine forth
as a star of the first magnitude in the glo-
rious constellation of the American Union.
Then, when we have gained this boon;
with the reins of government in our own
i hands; when commerce is enthroned upon
: a foundation which nothing can destroy;
| with great system of railroads over
spreading the land, which will bear
our varied resources to the far-distant
marts of the world: with our mines in full
blast and pouring forth their inexhausti-
bic wealth to enrich the people; with our
great droves of cattle, horses and sheep;
$ when the throb Of the ponderous machin-
cry in numberless manufactures here, as
, well as elsewhere, never ceases, driven on
by natures bridled forces; when there is
everywhere employment enough for all,
and all are happy, all are prosperous, then
we can not but exc1ain, with feeling
akin to inspiration. that wells up spontan-
eously from the inmost recess of the soul :
Great God we thank Thee for our glorious
, home
This bounteous birth1and of the free,